PASADENA – Shira Evans happened to stumble into her career as a computer technician years ago, but it has since become the Pasadena resident’s driving force in making a difference.

Evans is the do-it-all founder of Computer Labs For Kids Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides computer instruction and laptops to disadvantaged children worldwide.

Since the Pasadena charity’s start in January 2009, the organization has raised around $106,000 to help more than 90 kids globally – including in India, Israel, Portugal, Chicago and Los Angeles.

“There’s just a need to see this type of program in society, especially for kids in these areas,” said the 35-year-old, who felt the best way for her to impact a needy child’s life was through technology.

Since most of the kids come from disadvantaged backgrounds, they are under the impression that computers are too expensive for them to play with or are given restrictions on how it can be used, she said.

“It gives the kids a sense that they’re not worth anything,” said Evans, who pointed out that many of her students are from orphanages or foster homes.

At no cost to the children or the participating organization, Computer Labs For Kids gives each child a laptop upon class completion.

It lets kids know, “not only are we going to let you play with , we’re going to give you one,” Evans said.

“(Shira) has a passion for computers and a passion for these kids,” Jackson Tao, 35, of Chicago, said. Tao trained volunteers to teach the kids how to use and maintain the computers.

The nonprofit runs with the help of these volunteers, who teach the children computer and life skills one-on-one.

“A lot of what the kids need is one-on-one attention … what they need is that interaction they have with the adult,” Evans said.

Among the nonprofit’s program, the founder taught a class of 20 foster kids from United Care in Los Angeles in February.

“It was by far one of the most generous and impacting programs donated to our children,” said Craig Woods, founder and executive director of United Care.

Currently, Evans is leading a Saturday computer class for five kids at Messiah Full Gospel Bible Fellowship in Los Angeles.

She is also raising funds to set up a computer lab in Pakistan and for a sustainability research project in Mongolia.